Niseko Now: Wednesday 13th January 2021
- Jan 13, 2021
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 639cm
Posted on Wednesday 13th January 2021 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning I have measured 12cm of fresh snowfall since my report yesterday. It is mostly cloudy and light snow is falling but there are also shades of blue around... clearing clouds?
So the snow is continuing to be consistent but it is noticeably warmer this morning. Warm for us. Perhaps I should phrase it as milder or... not as mad cold. But it's definitely noticeable.
I was just looking at various forecasts and they seem to show colder conditions again tomorrow, but another bit of warmer temps around Saturday.
Wind is something I haven't had to mention as much as I usually do (hurray!) but it might well be an issue over the next few (booo!). At the start of the day today all of the top lifts at Hirafu, Village and Annupuri are on hold, as are the Annupuri and Village gondola lifts.
Changeable temperatures and wind aside, the pattern of consistent snowfall does not look like it is going to stop any time soon though.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Coastal Data. Cape Benkei:NW18m/s. Cape Kamui: SW20m/s, 1002hPa, wave 1.7m. Hanazono 1000m: -5.0℃, SSW5.0m/s. Hanazono 720: -3.4℃, S2.2m/s. Moiwa 800m: -3.4℃, WNW3.4m/s. Annupuri 1100m: -5.9℃, WSW3.9m/s. Yu no Sawa 1100m: -5.4℃, WSW3.5m/s. Mizuno no Sawa 900m: -4.6℃, WSW3.7m/s. Kutchan Town: 0.5℃, SSW3.3m/s, snow depth 147cm, 1004.8hPa. Moiwa base: -1, 15cm snowfall in last 6hrs, calm.
A low pressure system is bringing warm air into the area. There were strong winds and snow at midnight with rapid snow drift development above 800m. From observation, there is the possibility of a 50cm heavy surface slab avalanche on open steep slopes of more than 30deg, fracturing on the Jan 12 layer where frost has formed due to the temperature change. The SE wind overnight has caused cornices to be unstable and easily collapse. Heavy fog is persistent above 600m. Coastal data suggests the wind will swing to a west or north westerly direction, expect wind and snow to increase on the mountain.
Best to stay close by the groomers today. The trees are covered in rime and are calm. Gate openings yet to be decided. Please follow the patrol’s instructions. If you are clearing snow on a roof today use a rope, the whole lot could slide off in this warm weather.
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Planned ski area operations: Wednesday 13th January 2021
The below information is manually checked each morning and believed to be correct at time of report.
The numbers in brackets show the change in the official snow depth numbers since the previous report.
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 290cm (+10cm)
- Base: 160cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift on hold
- Ace Family Quad, Ace Number 2 Center Four lifts operate for night skiing
Courses:
- All courses open
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Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 220cm (-6cm)
- Base: 165cm (-5cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- All three lifts operating
- There is no night skiing at Hanazono
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Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 230cm (+10cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Top lift and gondola on hold
- Jumbo Number 1 quad lift operates for night skiing
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Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by the ski area):
- Peak: 210cm (+0cm)
- Base: 150cm (+0cm)
Ski lifts operating:
- Gondola and top lift on hold
- Village Express, Community Chair and Banzai Chair lifts operate for night skiing
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Night time operations are available in the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas until 7th March 2021.
There is no night skiing in the Niseko HANAZONO area.
The Ace Pair Number 1, 3 and 4, King Pair Number 1 lift and King Quad Number 2 lifts are being rested for the season at Niseko Grand Hirafu.
Niseko Now 2020-2021 season |
Data as of Wednesday 13th January 2021 Total snowfall at base so far 639cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 44 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 34cm (31st December) November 2020 snowfall 62cm reported on 6 days December 2020 snowfall 348cm reported on 25 days January 2021 snowfall 229 cm reported on 13 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.